Saturn Invites Fans to 'Kiss My Astra'

July 23, 2008

Saturn just launched the "Kiss My Astra" national photo contest, offering Saturn fans an opportunity to show just how much they would love to win a new Saturn Astra.

Contestants can kiss their own Astra, a friend's Astra, or drop by any Saturn retailer and kiss one of the dealer's Astras, and then upload a photo of the kiss at www.ImSaturn.com. The contestant with the funniest, most creative photo - as selected by the online Saturn community - will win a 2008 Saturn XR five-door. Have you seen this car? It's adorable, sporty, and with a starting MSRP around $16,000, falls into the "affordable" category as well! The XR three-door model I tested for AskPatty was priced at $18,495.

"Saturn vehicles have always inspired feelings of passion from our owners, and the Astra is no exception," says Matt Armstrong, Saturn car marketing manager. "With the 'Kiss My Astra' photo contest, Astra fans can share their public displays of affection for this fuel-efficient, great-looking new car." Make sure the photo you enter follows the rules of eligibility, as the site does monitor your entries, and there are no second chances if you blow it -- trust me, I learned this the hard way!

To be eligible, contestants must first join the ImSaturn online network. (I'm in there too, at http://imsaturn.com/profile/BrandyS) In September, a group of "Astra-ologists" from Saturn will select 20 finalists. Visitors and members of ImSaturn.com will then cast their votes for the best "Kiss My Astra" photo. Entrants can check back on September 14th to find out if you or any of your friends, are one of the 20 Kiss My Astra finalists. That's Maximum Bob Lutz in the photo there on the left, kissing an Astra to kick off the contest. Go BOB!

Don't forget to place your vote for your favorite entry! Entering also gives you a chance to try your hand at our "So, You Think You're a Smart Astra" quiz for a chance to enter our sweepstakes to win a $500 Visa Gift Card.

The 2008 Saturn Astra promises an EPA-estimated 24 city / 32 highway miles per gallon. According to Saturn, no five-door vehicle in its class gets better mileage. I drove this car with a five-speed manual transmission and found it was great fun and super sporty! I liked it so much, I even added it into my uDrive Dream Cars at Facebook!

The Astra features a 138-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine with variable valve timing. The bold proportions of the Astra (available in three-door and five-door body styles) provide exceptional roominess and generous storage capacity.

Sun-loving drivers will also enjoy its great big dual-panel sunroof -- which Saturn states is the largest in the segment -- which provides an airy, open driving experience. In the audio department, the Astra is available with several premium choices, including the standard AM/FM/CD player, and an available six-disc CD changer with MP3 disc playback paired with a premium, seven-speaker, audio system.

By Brandy Schaffels
AskPatty Editor